Sub-chorionic haematoma: Has it a prognostic relevance in pregnancy outcome?

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the significance of sub-chorionic haematoma found in patients with first trimester vaginal bleeding , on pregnancy outcome. Method: This is a prospective study. Five hundred and thirty six patients with first trimester bleeding had abdomino - pelvic ultrasound. Forty-seven patients had sonographic evidence of subchorionic haematoma. The pregnancy was followed up in the forty - seven patients. Result: Spontaneous abortion occurred in 13 patients (27.7%) premature labour in 12 patients (25.5) and spontaneous term vaginal birth in 22 patients (46.8). There was no sonographic evidence of ectopic pregnancy and trophoblastic disease. Conclusion: Majority of the patients who had sub-chorionic haematoma had a normal term pregnancy. However if the subchorionic haematoma was extensive and associated with passage of dark blood clots per vaginam the prognosis for the fetus was poor.

Keywords

• first trimester bleeding
• sub-chorionic haematoma
• pregnancy outcome